"(Kindness is) something that you do that makes someone feel good and something that makes someone feel happy," said 9-year-old Ariana Pensy, the recipient of the Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award.

Ariana wrote a letter befriending a schoolmate who never seemed to have a pal and always sat alone, so she became that friend at the risk of losing friends of her own.

"I don't like to be alone, so I thought she should have a friend," she said.

It was an act of kindness that went a long way; all the way to the family of Charlotte Bacon, a victim in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Ariana's letter was chosen among others to be rewarded for their caring.

Ariana said a trip to Newtown last week to receiver her award was phenomenal, but it's a new-found friend that means the most.

"Before she was so sad and alone," Ariana said. "Always would have a frown on her face. Now she has a grin on her face when I'm with her."

NFL linebacker and former Wisconsin Badger J.J. Watt got word of Ariana's letter and invited her family to dinner.